Treatment of fractures of tibia intercondylar eminence under arthroscopy using suture anchors

OBJECTIVE: To explore a new technique of reduction and internal fixation for tibia intercondylar eminence fractures under arthroscopy. METHODS: From June 2004 to February 2006, 9 patients with fresh tibia intercondylar eminence fracture (type II in 4 cases and type III in 5 cases) were treated with reduction and internal fixation using suture anchors (Depuy Mitek) under arthroscopy. All the patients, subject to regular post-operation functional exercise, were followed up for 6 to 22 months. The results were evaluated in the aspects of fracture reduction healing, knee joint relaxation and ROM, and functional restoration of overall limbs. RESULTS: In the nine patients, the tibia intercondylar eminence fractures healed without displacement and nonunion. No knee joint relaxation or extension-restriction was found. Lysholm score indicated 93.8 +/- 2.3 at the 6th postoperative months. CONCLUSION: The reduction and internal fixation of tibia intercondylar eminence fractures under arthroscopy using suture anchors demonstrate a reliable and easy-to-use technique. Operation under arthroscopy helps diagnose and treat other complications inside knee joint, merely resulting in slight injury. In addition,early functional exercise contributes to rapid recovery of knee joint's functions.